Jerusalem–In a stormy meeting of the Finance Committee, the government with the help of the haredi parties succeeded in railroading through last minute additional funding for West Bank settlements and the defense budget. The fact that the haredim rank with the opposition and voted with the government is a clear sign that they know they will be in the next government if Netanyahu forms it. This puts paid to all Netanyahu’s protestations to the public that he has not done any deals with the haredim behind its back.

The meeting Wednesday was held to discuss the transfer of extra funds from the 2013 budget to the 2014 budget. Opposition ministers harshly opposed the government’s last minute attempts to approve funds to defense and settlements, and a commotion broke out during the discussion.

“This is disgraceful. On the last day of the current Knesset, the government tries to transfer billions of shekels to defense and 100 million to settlements,” MK Dov Khenin (Hadash) said after he was expelled from the discussion by the head of the committee. “All this on the expense of public transport, housing and welfare; and without leaving any room for a debate or for questions.”

By Yael Klein/www.jerusalemonline.com